Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company recorded a gross booking value of $9.8 billion for the year, with a year-on-year growth rate of 25.9% in constant currency terms [6] - Adjusted operating profit reached an all-time high of $167.3 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 34.7% [6][25] - For Q4, gross booking value growth accelerated to 30.4% year-on-year in constant currency terms, while adjusted operating profit grew at a rate of 37.9% year-on-year [6][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international air ticketing revenue grew by over 33% year-on-year, significantly outpacing industry growth [9] - The international hotels revenue grew by over 65% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing segments [9] - The accommodation business, including hotels and packages, saw a gross booking value growth of 27.7% year-on-year in Q4 [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international business now contributes 25% to overall revenue, up from 22% in the previous fiscal year [10] - Domestic departures crossed pre-pandemic levels, while international departures grew by 18.5% year-on-year [10] - The online penetration in international air ticketing is steadily increasing, aiding gross booking value growth [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing user experience through generative AI, with features like trip planning chatbots and AI-driven support for booking changes [8][9] - The strategy includes expanding into underpenetrated international outbound markets and strengthening product propositions [9] - The company aims to maintain a marketing spend around 5% of gross booking value while investing in ancillary travel services and geographic expansion [35][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about recovering lost momentum following recent geopolitical disruptions, emphasizing collaboration with airline and hotel partners [22] - The company remains focused on driving growth in the twenties and does not foresee a slowdown in growth trajectory [39][40] - Management highlighted the importance of agility in responding to macroeconomic changes and maintaining a strong execution strategy [21][22] Other Important Information - The company has a capital allocation strategy focused on growth initiatives, exploring niche opportunities, and returning value to shareholders through buybacks [30] - The company has deployed approximately $21.7 million in its share repurchase program [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: On selling and marketing expenses - Management plans to maintain marketing expenses around 5% of gross booking value, focusing on driving growth rather than reducing spend [35][36] Question: Industry growth rate outlook - Management aims for growth in the twenties and believes the current trajectory will continue despite temporary challenges [39][40] Question: Competition from generative AI - Management is confident in leveraging their data and technology to stay ahead of potential competition in the AI space [42][44] Question: Competition in the Indian market - Management views the Indian travel market as underpenetrated and believes there is significant room for growth despite current competition [55][59] Question: Margin guidance and buyback strategy - Management aims to stabilize margins in the 1.8% to 2% range and will continue to be opportunistic with buybacks based on market conditions [70][74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company recorded a gross booking value of $9.8 billion for fiscal year 2025, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 25.9% in constant currency terms [6] - Adjusted operating profit reached an all-time high of $167.3 million, with a year-on-year growth of 34.7% [6][27] - For Q4, gross booking value growth accelerated to 30.4% year-on-year in constant currency terms, while adjusted operating profit grew at a rate of 37.9% year-on-year [6][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international air ticketing revenue grew by over 33% year-on-year, significantly outpacing industry growth [10] - The international hotels revenue grew by over 65% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing segments [10] - The air ticketing business gross booking value grew by 24.3% year-on-year in constant currency terms for Q4 [11] - The hotels and packages business gross booking value grew by 27.7% year-on-year in constant currency terms for Q4 [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International air ticketing revenue now contributes 25% to overall revenue, up from 22% in fiscal year 2024 [10] - Domestic departures crossed pre-pandemic levels, while international departures grew by 18.5% year-on-year [11] - The online penetration in international air ticketing is steadily increasing, aiding gross booking value growth [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing customer experience through generative AI innovations and a connected trip strategy [8][10] - The introduction of Myra.ai, a trip planning chatbot, aims to simplify trip discovery and booking [7] - The company is targeting the underpenetrated international outbound market as a growth opportunity [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about recovering lost momentum following recent geopolitical disruptions [23] - The company remains focused on driving growth in the twenties and does not foresee a slowdown in growth trajectory [40][41] - Management emphasized the importance of agility in responding to macroeconomic changes [24] Other Important Information - The company added over 9 million customers during the year, bringing the lifetime transacted user base to 82 million [6] - The corporate travel business is witnessing strong growth, with active corporate customer counts increasing significantly [22] - The company has deployed approximately $21.7 million in a share repurchase program [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Selling and marketing expenses strategy - Management plans to maintain marketing expenses around 5% of GMV while investing in ancillary travel services and geographic expansion [36][38] Question: Industry growth rate outlook - The company aims to continue growing faster than the industry, targeting a similar growth trajectory in the coming years despite temporary macro-related impacts [40][41] Question: Competition from generative AI - Management is confident in leveraging their rich data and speed to stay ahead of potential competition in the AI space [44][45] Question: Competition landscape in India - The company views the overall travel market as large with significant headroom for growth, and does not see direct bookings as competition [62][63] Question: Margin guidance and buyback strategy - The company aims to stabilize margins in the 1.8% to 2% range and will continue to be opportunistic with buybacks based on market conditions [72][78]

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Airbnb on Tuesday began letting users book in-home massages, chefs and personal trainers in an overhauled app as it continued to expand beyond being just a platform for short-term lodging. "Hotels do have one thing that we don't have and those are services," said chief executive Brian Chesky at a laun ...

Airbnb launched a redesigned app on Tuesday to showcase the company's push to let travelers book services, like catering and personal training, at their home rentals.The new-look app marks a new chapter for Airbnb to expand beyond home stays. The company has previously announced plans to invest $200 million to $250 million in a new business that it said it hopes will become a significant driver of future revenue growth."We now feel like we have such a strong foundation that we are capable of building and ex ...

As part of a broader app update, Airbnb on Tuesday introduced a new feature that allows travelers to book services and experiences, like getting a massage, haircut, or chef-prepared meal, or taking part in some activity. These new offerings can be added to your stay, but they can also be booked independently, Airbnb says.For instance, you could book a tour in a city you’ve traveled to, but where you’ve chosen to stay elsewhere, the company suggests. This is not the first time Airbnb has tried such a featu ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the overwhelming crowds and challenges faced during the "May Day" holiday travel in China, highlighting the need for flexible vacation policies to alleviate pressure on tourism resources [8][24][25]. Group 1: Travel Statistics - According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, an estimated 314 million domestic trips are expected during the 2025 "May Day" holiday, representing a 6.4% increase year-on-year [13]. - The total expenditure by domestic tourists is projected to reach 180.27 billion yuan, marking an 8.0% increase compared to previous years [13]. Group 2: Travel Experience Challenges - Many travelers reported poor experiences due to overcrowding, with popular destinations becoming "battlefields" rather than enjoyable sites [27]. - The high demand for accommodations led to significant price increases, with some hotels charging several times their usual rates, causing frustration among travelers [25][24]. Group 3: Flexible Vacation Policies - The article advocates for the promotion of "flexible vacation" policies to distribute travel demand more evenly throughout the year, potentially reducing the strain on popular destinations during peak times [10][29]. - Implementing such policies could enhance the overall travel experience by allowing tourists to avoid crowds and high prices, thus improving tourism quality [30][31]. Group 4: Economic Implications - The concentration of travel during peak holidays can lead to inflated operational costs for tourism-related businesses, limiting profit margins [31]. - A more staggered approach to vacations could extend the tourism consumption cycle, benefiting both businesses and consumers by balancing demand and supply [32]. Group 5: Implementation Challenges - The article notes that while flexible vacation policies could alleviate some issues, they face challenges such as disrupting educational schedules and maintaining necessary staffing in critical sectors like healthcare [34][35]. - A balanced approach that allows for partial staggered vacations could meet operational needs while still addressing tourism demand [38]. Group 6: Examples of Successful Implementation - Some educational institutions, like Qingdao Binhai College and schools in Hangzhou, have successfully implemented staggered vacation models, allowing families to travel during less crowded times [41][43]. - These examples demonstrate the potential benefits of flexible vacation policies in reducing peak travel pressures and enhancing the travel experience for families [44].

Core Insights - Expedia Group (EXPE) reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.76%, but showing a year-over-year increase of 90.5% [1] - Revenues for the quarter were $2.98 billion, a 3.4% year-over-year increase, but also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.27% [2] - Total gross bookings rose to $31.5 billion, reflecting a 4% year-over-year increase, with B2B bookings growing significantly [3] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $296 million, up 16.1% year over year [4] - Adjusted EBIT decreased 65% year over year to negative $21 million [5] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $6.1 billion from $4.5 billion since the end of 2024, while long-term debt decreased to $4.465 billion [6] Operational Highlights - B2B revenues increased by 13.7% year over year to $947 million, while B2C revenues decreased by 1.5% to $1.96 billion [2] - Lodging gross bookings grew 5% year over year to $23.03 billion, with hotel bookings climbing 6% [3] - Booked room nights rose 6% from the previous year to 107.7 million [3] Future Guidance - For Q2 2025, EXPE expects gross bookings growth in the range of 2-4% and revenue growth of 3-5% [7] - The company anticipates adjusted EBITDA margins to increase by 75-100 basis points year over year [7] - For the full year 2025, EXPE projects gross bookings and revenue growth in the 2% to 4% range [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights the growing influence of social media on travel decisions, particularly among millennials, with 80% relying on it for inspiration and planning [1][5] - Expedia has launched a new feature called Expedia® Trip Matching, which allows users to create travel itineraries directly from Instagram content, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation and meeting the needs of modern travelers [2][4] Company Overview - Expedia is recognized as one of the leading full-service travel brands, aiming to provide comprehensive travel solutions to enhance the travel experience for its users [3] - The company emphasizes its ability to understand traveler needs through insights and technology, offering a wide range of products across accommodations, transportation, and activities [4] New Feature Details - Expedia® Trip Matching is currently in beta and will soon be available to U.S. travelers, integrating AI-powered travel planning with Instagram [2] - The process involves users finding travel inspiration on Instagram, sharing it with Expedia, and receiving personalized travel recommendations and itineraries in response [5]

Cathie Wood has made a name for herself as a top growth investor. She has made some bold moves as head of investing company Ark Invest. Although some of Ark's exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have a spotty track record, some of them have outperformed the market, and she has drawn attention to her company's trades, which are reported daily.Although Wood has a specific, innovation-driven approach to investing, her model is the same "buy low, sell high" model that underpins most successful investing. When stocks s ...

Core Insights - Expedia reported $2.99 billion in revenue for Q1 2025, a year-over-year increase of 3.4%, with an EPS of $0.40 compared to $0.21 a year ago [1] - The revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03 billion, resulting in a surprise of -1.27%, while the EPS also missed the consensus estimate of $0.42 by -4.76% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Gross bookings totaled $31.45 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $31.85 billion [4] - Stayed room nights were 108, exceeding the average estimate of 106, with a growth rate of 6%, lower than the 8.1% average estimate [4] - Merchant gross bookings were $18.21 billion, compared to the estimated $18.83 billion [4] - International revenue was $1.16 billion, below the average estimate of $1.22 billion, but showed a year-over-year increase of 5.6% [4] - U.S. revenue reached $1.83 billion, slightly below the estimated $1.85 billion, reflecting a 2.1% year-over-year increase [4] - B2C revenue was $1.96 billion, below the average estimate of $2.04 billion, while B2B revenue was $947 million, exceeding the estimate of $924.59 million, marking a 13.7% year-over-year increase [4] - Revenue from lodging was $2.29 billion, below the estimate of $2.36 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 2.7% [4] - Revenue from Trivago was $85 million, surpassing the estimate of $74.76 million, with a significant year-over-year increase of 21.4% [4] - Air revenue was $107 million, below the estimated $114.41 million, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 7% [4] - Other revenue was $333 million, below the estimate of $352.60 million, with a slight year-over-year increase of 0.6% [4] Stock Performance - Expedia shares returned +3% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +11.3% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]